MIAMI — Michael Jordan has joined the investment group led by Derek Jeter that is trying to buy the Miami Marlins.
Jordan’s spokeswoman, Estee Portnoy, confirmed Jordan’s involvement Tuesday. The NBA Hall of Famer owns the Charlotte Hornets and is expected to assume a minority ownership role if Jeter’s group buys the Marlins.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is soon expected to choose a winning bid from among three investment groups seeking to buy the team, and all have offered about the same amount of money. Manfred said the three groups are working on financial structuring, legal issues and due diligence in preparation for a purchase.
One investment group is led by Jeter, the former New York Yankees shortstop and a 14-time All-Star. A second group includes former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Massachusetts businessman Tagg Romney, and the third group is led by South Florida businessman Jorge Mas.
Clayton Kershaw stood in the National League clubhouse before Tuesday’s All-Star Game across from Jose Fernandez’s locker, which serves as memorial to the Miami Marlins’ dynamic right-hander.
“It’s sad for sure to see that,” said Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace. “Obviously he meant a lot to everybody, because his locker is still here. You reflect for sure.”
Fernandez was a two-time All-Star before he died at 24 in a boat crash last September. Among his unfulfilled goals was to start in Tuesday’s game at his home ballpark.
It would have happened if not for the accident, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said.
Fernandez was the “probable” operator of the speeding boat that crashed into a jetty last Sept. 25, killing him and two other men, an investigation determined. It listed drugs and alcohol as factors in the crash.
Aaron Judge’s victory in the All-Star Home Run Derby drew the event’s most viewers in nearly a decade.
The slugfest Monday night was seen by 8.69 million viewers on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the company’s livesteams. That was up 55 percent from last year’s 5.62 million, the most since 2008’s 9.12 million and the second-most since 1999’s 8.91 million.
YANKEES: Chris Carter has gone from NL home run champion to unemployed.
The Yankees said they had released the 30-year-old first baseman, who struggled during the first half of the season. Carter hit .201 with eight homers, 26 RBI in 208 plate appearances.
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